VACUUM ASSISTED CLOSURE OF LAPAROSTOMY WOUNDS “A NOVEL TECHNIQUE”

Authors

  • Syed Imran Hussain Andrabi
  • Jawad Ahmad
  • Munir A Rathore
  • Muhammad Yousaf

Abstract

Management of a laparostomy wound is contentious. Specific pathologies like severe intraabdominal sepsis, trauma requiring damage control, abdominal compartment syndrome, stagedabdominal repair and other complex abdominal pathologies can be managed with a noveltechnique of Vacuum Assisted Closure dressing. This device applies sub-atmospheric pressurethat leads to reduced bowel wall edema , bacterial count and inflammatory burden found in openabdominal wounds. This leads to a reduced need for frequent dressing changes, maintaining intactskin and improvement in fluid management. Controlled clinical studies are needed to establish thesafety and effectiveness of this treatment strategy. We present our experience with this techniquesuggesting it to be safe and effective. A brief outline of the working of Vacuum Assisted Closuredressing is also presented.Keywords: Vacuum assisted closure, dressing, laparostomy, burst abdomen, open abdomen

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